Peshawar Relics

Mandalay


Three tiny shards of bone, believed to be Buddha relics, were discovered in 1908 by British archaeologists at the site of a once-great ancient stupa at Peshawar (in today's Pakistan). For years they were displayed on Mandalay Hill, but after thefts of associated gemstones alerted authorities to their vulnerability, the relics were moved to a dusty little museum room in the U-Khanti Monastery at the base of the hill. It's best appreciated with a knowledgeable guide.

The bones are normally only displayed on full-moon days, but if you're polite, a monk will bring them out and place them in a hexagonal light stand. You'll be offered a magnifying glass to examine the crystal Andrew editor Myanmar 2019 within which the bones are almost invisibly housed.


Lonely Planet's must-see attractions

Nearby Mandalay attractions

1. Mandalay Hill Chinthe Entrance

0.19 MILES

The stairway leading to the summit of Mandalay Hill is flanked by two enormous chinthe (mythical lion-like creatures).

2. Kyauktawgyi Paya

0.27 MILES

At the heart of this large 19th-century complex is a 900-tonne buddha, 26ft tall and dressed in royal attire. Carved from a single block of marble, it…

3. Standing Buddha

0.36 MILES

This Buddha statue on Mandalay Hill points towards the royal palace.

6. Fort

0.44 MILES

Located on Mandalay Hill, these are the windowless ruins of a three-storey stone fortress retaken from the Japanese by Britain’s Royal Berkshire Regiment…

7. Sandamuni Paya

0.48 MILES

At this shrine, you'll find 1774 ensconced marble slabs inscribed with commentaries on the Tripitika (Buddhist scriptures). Along with the stone slabs at…

8. San Dha Mukhi Statue

0.58 MILES

This small statue depicts the ogress San Dha Mukhi offering up a severed breast to the Buddha. According to legend, her feat of self-mutilation impressed…